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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Andre Arendse
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(Fulham, England), 30 (31 on June 27), 27 caps
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Played in all of the World Cup qualifying matches but was
dropped in January. Has had a miserable year in England too
where he has been unable to get a first-team place with the
second division London team.
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Brian Baloyi
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(Kaizer Chiefs), 24, 8 caps
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Outstanding
performer at the African Nations Cup finals in Burkina Faso in
February but still some question marks over his consistency.
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Paul Evans
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(Supersport United), 24, 0 caps
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Wales-born
goalkeeper who has been capped by South Africa at under-23
level. Returned to Johannesburg last year after two unsuccessful
seasons with Leeds United in England.
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Hans Vonk
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(Heerenveen, Netherlands), 28, 0 caps
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Born in
South Africa but raised in the Netherlands. The giant goalkeeper
has impressed coach Philippe Troussier and is likely to get the
number one jersey in France despite being new to the squad
set-up.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Mark Fish
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(Bolton Wanderers, England), 24, 37 caps
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Played
in a World XI against Brazil two years ago and has won several
other accolades in his short playing career. Hoping for a
successful World Cup to make up for a disappointing first season
in the English premier league with the relegation-threatened
Bolton.
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Pierre Issa
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(Marseille, France), 22, 1 cap
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Multi-national
defender who has just returned from knee injury. Born in
Johannesburg of Lebanese parents and has lived in France since
the age of four.
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Willem Jackson
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(Orlando Pirates), 26, 12 caps
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Emerged late
last year as a regular in defence after a brilliant debut in a
friendly international against France.
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Themba Mnguni
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(Mamelodi Sundowns), 24, 3 caps
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Made debut in
the African Nations Cup finals after a season which has seen his
Pretoria-based club on course for the domestic league and cup
double.
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Sizwe Motaung
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(Orlando Pirates), 28, 49 caps
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Battling to
regain his place in the squad after being dropped before the
Nations Cup final. Has played in all 12 of South Africa's
all-time World Cup matches.
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David Nyathi
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(St Gallen), 29, 35 caps
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Devastating
full-back, whose runs down the wing will crucial to South
Africa's hopes. Set to move to Serie A next season from his
modest Swiss club.
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Andrew Rabutla
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(Jomo Cosmos), 26 (27 on May 4), 7 caps
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Tough but often clumsy defender who has made a remarkable
recovery from a serious knee ligament injury. Back in South
Africa after a short spell with POAK Salonika in Greece.
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Lucas Radebe
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(Leeds United, England), 29, 41 caps
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South
Africa's captain and one of Africa's top exports to Europe. Has
been used recently in midfield by his country but could return
to the heart of the defence for the World Cup.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Marc Arnold
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(Hertha Berlin, Germany), 27, 0 caps
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Another
new discovery for South Africa, having been raised in Germany.
Having a successful first season in the Bundesliga.
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Alex Bapela
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(Mamelodi Sundowns), 28, 0 caps
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A regular squad
member but has yet to win a cap and might just be squeezed out
of the World Cup 22.
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Quinton Fortune
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(Atletico Madrid, Spain), 20 (21 on May 21), 6 caps
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Youngest-ever player to be capped by South Africa and
expected to be a star of the future. Can play in any position on
the left side.
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Doctor Khumalo
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(Kaizer Chiefs), 30 (31 on June 26), 43 caps
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Mercurial midfielder who is a potential match-winner with his
incredible skill and guile. But there is much debate over
whether the team can afford to carry him if he is not on song.
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Helman Mkhalele
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(Kayerispor, Turkey ), 28, 35 caps
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Wide
player who likes to run at opposing defenders. Scored vital
goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign to secure South
Africa's first ever place in the finals.
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John Moeti
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(Orlando Pirates), 30, 23 caps
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Diminutive
midfielder who has emerged as a vital player in the engine room
of the South African team. Will act as vice-captain in France.
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Thabo Mooki
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(Kaizer Chiefs), 25, 3 caps
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Crafty talent who
scored on his second appearance in January but was mostly
ignored during the African Nations Cup finals in February.
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John Moshoeu
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(Fenerbahce, Turkey), 32, 44 caps
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Key to South
Africa's hopes. Incredibly talented player who has been a key
figure up front for the last three years. Recently moved to the
Turkish league leaders for a South African record transfer fee
of $2.4-million. Nicknamed 'Shoes.'
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Dumisa Ngobe
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(Orlando Pirates), 25, 10 caps
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Son of one of
South Africa's soccer legends who has carved his own niche. A
useful utility player who is unlucky not to have more caps to
his name.
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Brandon Silent
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(Orlando Pirates), 25, 5 caps
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Another of the
wide players preferred by South Africa. Helped his club win the
African Champions Cup in 1995.
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Eric Tinkler
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(Barnsley), 27, 30 caps
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Injury has left the
tough-tackling midfielder battling to regain a place at his
English club in order to impress new South African coach
Troussier. Scored the opening goal of South Africa's successful
World Cup qualifying campaign.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Brendan Augustine
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(LASK Linz, Austria), 26, 26 caps
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Hard-working striker who is also often used as a midfielder in
the national team. Has had a mediocre club season in Austria.
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Delron Buckley
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(VfL Bochum, Germany), 20, 0 caps
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A good
return from a year out with a bad knee injury has put the
youngster into World Cup contention. His German coach Klaus
Toppmuller calls him 'my little Ronaldo.'
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Phil Masinga
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(Bari, Italy), 28 (29 on June 28), 41 caps
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All-time leading goalscorer for South Africa with 14 goals. Has
scored winning goals for his club against both AC Milan and
Inter Milan in Serie A this season.
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Benedict McCarthy
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(Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), 20, 10 caps
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New hero of South African soccer after his seven-goal
spree at the African Nations Cup finals in Burkina Faso. Was
named as the best player at the tournament in February but has
been warned that lack of first team action at Ajax threatens his
starting chances.
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Pollen Ndlanya
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(Bursaspor, Turkey), 27 (28 on May 22), 11 caps
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Strong reserve player who is adept at holding off
defenders and holding the ball up for his frontline partners.
Playing his second season in the Turkish league.
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